William Atkins
Monday, 26 October 2009 19:54
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 2
According to research performed by researchers at the University of Toronto, people in positions of authority at work are at increased health risks for psychological and physical problems due to the stresses of being the boss.
The Canadian study used 2005 data from a national survey of 1,785 U.S. workers from a variety of occupations and across numerous sectors of business.
The researchers in the study were Canadian sociologists
Scott Schieman and Sarah Reid, both from the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
People who direct or manage the work of other people and/or have control over others tend to earn more money and have other perks that usually relate to better health.
However, these two Canadian researchers found that these people tend to report more psychological and physical problems than people not in authority.
In the October 19, 2009 press release by the University of Toronto “
Power at work has payoffs, but not for health,” it is stated by Dr. Scott Schieman, lead author of the study,
"Unfortunately, there are also downsides to job authority that undermine or offset the upsides of having power at work. In most cases, the health costs negate the benefits."
People in authority report more
“interpersonal conflict with others” than people not in positions of authority.
These authority types also tend to perform more work at home, which adds stress to home life.
Page two concludes with further statements from Dr. Schieman.
